It was almost three in the morning. Carmen was sitting in the living room, watching the TV on mute, when the front door opened and Shane stumbled in.
Carmen jerked her head up in surprise.
When Shane saw her, she cleared her throat and stood up straighter. Hey, she said coolly.
Carmen smiled tightly. Hey.
Shane closed the door and leaned against it. What are you doing out here? Her words slurred together.
Carmen gestured to the bedrooms. Oh, Jennys sleeping, but I cant, and I didnt wanna wake her.
Shane nodded. Right. She walked slightly unsteadily into the kitchen.
Carmen felt her eyes follow her. She was wearing jeans worn scandalously low and a black tank top, leaving her shoulders bare. Carmen had always liked her shoulders. They were perfect.
Carmen took a deep breath. Then she stood up and went into the kitchen. She thought to herself that she was like a moth and Shane was the flame. It was so frustrating.
Shane was standing by the fridge, drinking from a bottle of water. She looked over at Carmen and raised an eyebrow.
Carmen swallowed dryly. So, where were you? she asked casually.
Shane shrugged. A couple places.
Yeah? Like where?
Why do you care? Shane asked brusquely.
Carmen frowned. I didnt say I cared. I was just curious.
Shane put the bottle of water back into the fridge. You know what they say about curiosity.
Carmen smiled sardonically.
They looked at each other before Carmen broke the moment. Were you drinking?
Shane shook her head.
Carmen frowned as she realised that Shane was high, not drunk. It was happening more often.
Shane clapped her hands together. Yeah, all right. Listen, Im gonna go to bed. Ill see ya.
Uh, yeah. Okay.
Shane walked past Carmen. Carmen felt a pang of jealousy when she noticed that Shane smelled like someone elses perfume.


The Next Day


Shane didnt know why Jenny had invited everyone over that afternoon. She really wasnt in the mood for a party, even if it was her best friends.
She was sitting on the porch steps, smoking a cigarette, when Bette walked around the corner and up the short drive.
Hey, she said, smiling.
Shane nodded. Hey.
You okay?
Yeah. Im fine. You?
Yeah. So, whos in there? Bette leaned against the railing.
Uh, Jenny, Carmen, Al, Dane, Tonya, Tina and Helena. Shane looked up at Bette. You wanna just turn around right now?
Bette sighed, but smiled. No. I can deal. Its okay.
Can I just say something? Shane asked her.
Of course.
I respect you so much. You know? Like, even with everything that happened, youre brave enough to go in there and still be friends with everyone. Its just I dont know.
Bette smiled.
Yeah. All right. Shane stubbed out her cigarette and stood up. Come on.
Wait. Thank you for being a friend, Shane.
Shane shook her head. Nah. Its nothing, man.
Bette put her hand on Shanes shoulder. It is to me.
Shane grinned. Thats Thats cool.
Okay. Now well go.

Shane was alone in the kitchen, getting a beer to ease her slight hangover, when Carmen walked in.
Oh. Hey, she said, stopping in her tracks.
Shane looked at her. Hey. Surprised to see me?
Uh, kinda. Carmen walked over to the fridge. She got herself a beer and opened it.
Shane stared at her. She let her eyes travel down her body, then back up to her face.
Carmen stared back at her. Then she took a step towards Shane. Shane got up from her seat at the table and moved towards Carmen.
They met and just stood close to each other for a long moment. Their eyes were locked on each other. Then Shane let her hand find Carmens. Carmens fingers played with hers.
Then she pulled away and shook her head. No. We cant keep doing this.
Shane groaned and moved back. Doing what? Were not doing anything.
Carmen looked over her shoulder to the door. Then she grabbed Shanes hand and pulled her out through the door, down the hallway and into Shanes room.
She pushed Shane in, followed her and locked the door behind them. She grabbed onto the doorframe to steady herself.
Shane gazed at Carmen and raised her eyebrows in amusement.
Carmen closed her eyes and tilted her head up.
That was interesting, Shane said.
Carmen opened her eyes. Stop being so cocky.
Whos being cocky? Shanes voice had dropped to her even raspier bedroom voice.
Carmen marched over to Shane, pushed her backwards onto her bed and straddled her. Okay. We have to make sure we understand each other. She bent down so her face was inches away from Shanes.
Shane narrowed her eyes.
Im still with Jenny. Nobody is going to know about this.
Shane said nothing.
All right?
Shane nodded.
Good. Carmen lowered her face and kissed Shane.
Shane slid her tongue into Carmens mouth. Her hands ran down Carmens back.
Carmen began kissing Shanes neck. Shane could feel her warm breath on her skin. She let her hands move from Carmens back to her front.
She cupped her ***** underneath her shirt.
Carmen sat up and pulled off her shirt. Shane pulled her back down and kissed her again. It was a hard, insistent kiss.
She felt Carmens hands travel down her body. Then she felt her unbutton her shirt.
I love this shirt, Carmen said huskily between kisses.
Shane smiled. You can have it.
Carmen chuckled. She kissed Shanes jaw. Then she moved down, kissing her neck, chest and stomach. She licked a line from Shanes belly button to her collarbone.
Shane moaned.
Carmen kissed her as she unzipped her jeans. She pulled them off and smiled at her underwear. I love these, too. She ran her hand over them.
Shane laughed. You can definitely have them.
Carmen pulled them off and threw them on the floor. Then she straddled Shane again and kissed her, fondling her *****.
Shane unzipped Carmens jeans and slipped her hands under her underwear.
Mmm, Carmen moaned.
They froze when there was a short knock on the door.
Shane? Are you in there?
Carmen looked at Shane, her eyes wide in shock. Jenny, she mouthed.
Shane put a finger to her lips, instructing her to stay silent. She cleared her throat. Yeah?
Have you seen Carmen?
Shane swallowed. Uh, no. Why?
She kinda disappeared. Um, okay, thanks.
Shane strained her ears, trying to hear if Jenny was still there. When she was sure she had left, she turned back to Carmen.
Carmen had a lot of emotions written on her face. She sighed as she sat up.
Shane shook her head. She got up and pulled on her clothes.
She picked up Carmens shirt, put it the right way and handed it back to her.
Carmen silently accepted it and put it on. Then she stood up and looked towards the door.
Ill check, Shane said.
Carmen nodded, watching her go to the door and unlock it.
Shane opened it and looked out. She turned back to Carmen. Its okay.
Carmen walked to the door, but stopped when she reached Shane. She gently and tenderly touched her hand.
Shane felt the electricity from Carmen pass through her body. Um, you better go.
Yeah. Carmen nodded.
They stared at each other before Carmen walked away.